EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 5

EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

• • m EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING. AID BT THE STATE. THE PROFITEER HORDE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 15. In a statement in the House of Commons, Mr. William Lunn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, stated that the Empire Exhibition overdraft now amounted to £2,220,000. Lloyd's bank had allowed this on condition that the Government increased its guarantee by .£500,000. Mr. Lunn said he boned that before tho close of the Exhibition there would be 30,000,000 visitors. The. estimated revenue was '£3,000,000, against an expenditure estimated at £.3.720,000. Sir Alfred Butt, Conservative member for Wandsworth: There were grave scandals in the issuing of many contracts in the early days of tbe exhibition. The House ought not to provide' another £500,000 until those who have made enormous profits have been asked to disgorge a portion. Mr. T. Johnston. Labour member for Stirling, complained that the London hotel proprietors, who were recentlycharging 7/6 for bed and breakfast, were now charging 12/6. He proposed that the Government should defeat the hotel profiteers by mooring a dozen large ships in the Thames for visitors. The House, without a division, agreed to increase the Government's guarantee from £100,000 to £600.000. after notice of an amendment to reduce the extended guarantee bad been withdrawn. Replying to critics. Mr. J. H. Thomas. Secretary of the Colonies, said he hoped it might'later be decided to continue the exhibition. The assets in any case were not to be thrown away. Tbe exhibition was a magnificent success. He did not believe that one penny of this guarantee would be required. Mrs. Wintringham, Liberal member for Louth, moved a resolution urging tbe employment of more women police at Wembley. Mr. Thomas, in replying, denied that there was any evidence whatever that special protection was necessary in the exhibition because of the presence of coloured men. He said that more women would be employed if they were required. The amendment was lost without a division. Replying to a question. Mr. Thomas said" that every one of the Dominions was spending more on the exhibition than tbe British Government. — (A. and N.Z. — Reutcr.)